Tag: cretantrails
Spinalónga, Lasithi, Greece
Lepers were living banished from civilization for centuries. Many of them found refuge in caves. The Spinalonga leper hospital allowed them to have access to medical care, to live in a organized society while food, water and houses were provided by the state. Lepers had a social life and some of them got married on the island
Spinalónga, Lasithi, Greece
When the lepers arrived in Spinalonga they had to go through from one of the two entrances of the fortress. This entrance was a long, wet and dark tunnel. People gave the name "The Dante's Gate" to the entrance because they didn't know what was expecting them at the other side.
Spinalónga, Lasithi, Greece
In 1904 the first 251 leper patients originated from Crete were settled on the island of Spinalonga. After the union of Crete with Greece in 1913, lepers from all over the country start coming to the island.
Spinalónga, Lasithi, Greece
The islet morphology, its distance from the shore and the Venetian fortification structures led authorities to create on Spinalonga a leper colony. On 30 of May, 1903 a leper hospital was founded on Spinalonga and all Hansen disease patients from Crete are transferred to spend the rest of their lives on the isolated island.
Spinalónga, Lasithi, Greece
Spinalonga was one of the last remaining Venetians fortresses that were occupied by Ottoman Turks. Its importance to the Venetians trade routes was great while many Christians found a refuge there during the Venetian-Turkish war of Crete.
Spinalónga, Lasithi, Greece
Spinalonga gained a lot of popularity the last years. Every day more than 1500 tourists visit the island which makes it the second most popular archeological site in Crete after Knossos.
Spinalónga, Lasithi, Greece
Spinalonga is a very popular destination for tourists during summer. Many tours include transfer with busses to Elounda or Plaka and then small boats take visitors to the island. From Elounda, the boat takes 20 minutes to reach the island and from Plaka just 7 minutes. Many tourists, decide to take a boat early in the morning from Agios Nikolaos to visit Spinalonga and stop to nearby beaches for swimming.
Pláka, Lasithi, Greece
Opposite Spinalonga island, there is a small town called Plaka. In plaka someone can enjoy the view of Spinalonga and have a chance to swim in the beautiful pebble beach with crystal clear waters.
